1
: a kick that puts the ball into play in a football or soccer game
the opening kickoff
2
: the start of something : commencement
the campaign kickoff
kicked off; kicking off; kicks off
1
: to start or resume play in football by a placekick
2
a
: to initiate proceedings
b
: to start out : begin
the movie kicks off with a bank robbery
3
slang
: die
: to mark the beginning of
kick off the campaign
Examples of kickoff in a Sentence
Noun
At his campaign kickoff, the senator gave a passionate speech about combating poverty.
His speech marked the kickoff of his campaign.
Verb
I'll kick off the discussion on ethics with this question.
surprisingly, the recluse was worth a cool million when he kicked off
Recent Examples on the Web
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
From the kickoff of their campaigns, candidates would be compelled to reach out to all voters and not just play to the base.
—John Avlon, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
The first South Carolina restaurant opened in July 2024 in Boiling Springs, kicking off a rapid expansion plan.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
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Noun
Now, the day has morphed into the informal kickoff of summer, devoted mainly to grilling the perfect burger, pairing it with a favored brew and maybe throwing or kicking a ball around with family and friends.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
From the kickoff of their campaigns, candidates would be compelled to reach out to all voters and not just play to the base.
—John Avlon, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Verb
Earlier this month, Springsteen kicked off his 2025 Land of Hope and Dreams European tour in Manchester.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2025
The first South Carolina restaurant opened in July 2024 in Boiling Springs, kicking off a rapid expansion plan.
—Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for kickoff
Cite this Entry
“Kickoff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kickoff. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kickoff
1 of 2 noun
kick·off
ˈkik-ˌȯf 
: a kick that puts the ball into play (as in soccer or football)
kick off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)kik-ˈȯf
1
: to make a kickoff
2
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